Hose cutting device

ABSTRACT

A hose cutting device adapted for cutting a hose into selected lengths consisting of shears having a pair of opposed cutting jaws pivotally connected together at a point rearwardly of the jaws for pivotal cutting type movement toward and away from each other, one of the jaws being stationarily mounted on a mounting bracket and projecting outwardly therefrom with the other jaw being movable relative to the stationary jaw by utilization of an elongated handle member operatively attached to the movable jaw, and the mounting bracket including a first horizontally extending base and a second vertically extending base providing for universal mounting of the mounting bracket in a secure manner to a horizontal supporting surface, such as a table, or to a vertical supporting surface, such as a wall, thus enabling an individual to cut a length of hose to a selected length by utilization of only one hand to operate the movable jaw member while freeing the other hand for use in positioning of the hose or whatever other action might be required.

United States Patent 1191 Boskus Dec. 17, 1974 HOSE CUTTING DEVICE Charles W. Baskus, Jr., 63 Turnage Trl., Carlile Highlands, Rt. No. 5, Mt. Home, Ark. 72653 22 Filed: Apr. 18, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 352,118

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 30/231, 248/376 [51] Int. Cl B26b 13/00 [58] Field of Search 30/231, 290, 296; 248/12,

Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-4. C. Peters Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichard J. Myers [5 7] ABSTRACT A hose cutting device adapted for cutting a hose into selected lengths consisting of shears having a pair of opposed cutting jaws pivotally connected together at a point rearwardly of the jaws for pivotal cutting type movement toward and away from each other, one of the jaws being stationarily mounted on a mounting bracket and projecting outwardly therefrom with the other jaw being movable relative to the stationary jaw by utilization of an elongated handle member operatively attached to the movable jaw, and the mounting bracket including a first horizontally extending base and a second vertically extending base providing for universal mounting of the mounting bracket in a secure manner to a horizontal supporting surface, such as a table, or to a vertical supporting surface, such as a wall, thus enabling an individual to cut a length of hose to a selected length by utilization of only one hand to operate the movable jaw member while freeing the other hand for use in positioning of the hose or whatever other action might be required.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures HOSE CUTTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to cutting apparatus and more particularly to a device for cutting or shearing flexible lengths of hoses and the like to desired selectable lengths.

2. Description of the Prior Art A number of industries and repair service facilities, such as gas stations, air conditioning repair shops, hose manufacturers, and the like frequently encounter the need for cutting hose to a variety of lengths, and this cutting process often proves to be both difficult and time consuming in that the cutting of hose with a conventional type of shears requires that both hands be utilized to operate the shears thus requiring some method for securing the hose temporarily during the cutting process. It normally requires some type of temporary clamping arrangement for securing the hose which, being flexible, may result in unwanted damage thereto such that special clamps and holding devices must be utilized, and further, such clamps and holding devices must be properly sized for the size and diameter of the tubing or hose to be cut.

In the past, cutting knives have occasionally been utilized for cutting lengths of hose, but this provides a generally inconvenient and cumbersome cutting procedure considering that the knife is frequently misplaced, and even when the knife is retained in a known location by being attached to a cord or the like, it still requires a dangerous and hazardous cutting procedure for cutting the hose in view of the risk of the knife blade encountering a portion of an individuals body inflicting injury thereto.

It would thus be desirable to provide an improved hose cutting device readily mountable in a variety of locations and permitting ease of operation for readily cutting various types and lengths of hoses to desired lengths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designed to overcome the above-noted limitations that are attendant upon the cutting of flexible tubes and hoses to desired lengths by providing a novel hose cutting device that may be mounted to any convenient horizontal or vertical supporting surface in a manner permitting an individual to cut a length of hose by utilization of only one hand thus freeing the individuals other hand for the positioning of the hose or whatever other task might be required in the cutting of the hose.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a hose cutting device adapted for secure mounting to any convenient horizontal or vertical support surface, such as a table or a wall, and which would enable an individual to accurately cut a hose to a desired length in a minimum of time and with a great amount of convenience in the handling of the hose and cutting device.

A further feature of the present invention provides a hose cutting device in combination with a novel support mounting bracket that facilitates the manipulation of the cutting device at a job site in shearing or cutting hosing and the like to desired lengths.

Still a further feature of the invention is the provision of a novel hose cutting device incorporating a mounting bracket which not only supports the cutting device but which also assures that the cutting jaws in their movement to and from the work being cut are always exactly at the same angle with canting of the jaws being prevented.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a novel hose cutting device wherein .the cutting elements may be readily removed for sharpening and replacement without affecting the securement of the mounting bracket to the supporting surface.

The provisions of a novel hose cutting device, such as briefly outlined above, and possessing the stated advantages, constitutes the principal features of the present invention. The provision of a hose cutting device which is simple in its construction and which therefore may be manufactured at a low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand rough usage; one which may be mounted to almost any available mounting surface, whether horizontal, vertical, or inclined and assure accurate operation of the cutting device; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the cutting device of the present invention mounted to a horizontal supporting surface;

FIG. 2 is the side elevational view of the cutting device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the cutting device of FIG. 1 illustrating the cutting blades in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the cutting device of FIG. 1 illustrated as mounted to a vertical supporting wall surface and having a container disposed beneath the cutting blades for receiving the cut lengths of tubing therein; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a cutting device mounted to a vertical wall supporting surface with the cutting blades being disposed in a plane taken normal to the supporting wall in a manner to cut lengths of hosing inserted vertically between the cutting blades.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, reference numeral 10 generally designates a pair of shears including opposed cutting jaws 11 and 12 that are movable to and from each other by being pivotally connected thereto by pivot pin 13 connected therebetween at a point just rearwardly of the cutting jaws. The jaws 11 and 12 each extend rearwardly from their respective cutting edges 14 and 15, the upper jaw 11 having a short elongated shaft 16 projecting rearwardly therefrom, and the lower jaw 12 being connected to an elongated hand operated lever 17 utilized for operation of the cutting device 10. The blades 14 and 15 have been illustrated as being arcuately shaped in a semi-circular manner and are preferably manufactured of tempered cutlery steel permitting ease of sharpening and maintenance of the blades. However, other blade shapes and designs may be supplied, such as the blades being of substantially parallel scissor type blades, and the like, all being envisioned within the scope of the present invention.

For utilization in mounting the shears 111 there is provided a mounting bracket generally designated by reference numeral 20 which includes a vertically extending substantially flat support member 21, a horizontal mounting base member 22 having one edge connected to support member 21 and projecting horizontally outwardly therefrom in a manner perpendicular thereto, and a vertical base member 23 extending outwardly from back edge 24 of support member 21 in the same direction as horizontal base member 22 in a manner perpendicular both to the plane of the support member 21 and perpendicular to the plane of the horizontal base member 22, the bottom edge portion 25 of the vertical base member 23 being secured to the back edge 26 of the horizontal base member 22. A horizontally extending slot 28 is provided in the innermost face surface 29 of support member 21 and extends horizontally therealong from the front edge portion 27 rearwardly toward the back edge portion 24 a distance sufficient to receive therein the shank 16 of upper jaw member 11 of shears 10, the shank 16 provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced openings therethrough adapted for alignment with a similar pair of openings (not shown) provided in slot 28 extending through support member 21 in a manner permitting a pair of bolts 31 to pass through respective aligned apertures and be secured therein by nuts (not shown) threadedly received on the outermost ends of such bolts and tightened to engage the outer face surface of the support member 21 thereby securing the shears to the mounting bracket 20.

Further, the horizontal base member is provided with a pair of spaced apertures 32 extending vertically therethrough and adapted for receiving therein bolts or screws 33 for securing the mounting bracket to a horizontal support surface 34. Similarly, the vertical base member 23 is provided with a pair of vertically spaced apertures 36 extending therethrough and adapted for receiving therein bolts or screws 37 (FIG. 4) in a manner securing the mounting bracket 20 to a vertical support surface, such as a wall 38.

The slot 28 is provided in support member 21 a sufficient distance above horizontal base member 22 so as to provide sufficient clearance between the lower jaw 12 and the horizontal mounting surface 34 such that the lower jaw may be operated in a back and forth manner relative to stationary jaw 11 without any interference with the mounting surface 34. Further, it is understood that shank 16 is of a sufficient length such that pivot point 13 projects forwardly of front edge 27 of support member 21 to assure no interference between the support member 21 and the operation of handle 17.

upwardly against stationary cutting jaw 11 in a manner 6 to sever a hose 50 inserted therebetween, after which the operating handle 17 is moved in a direction opposite to arrow 40 to move the jaw 12 away from stationary jaw 11 to permit a new section of hose 50 to be inserted therebetween, after which the cutting operation is repeated thereby providing a series of different hose lengths 51-53. The mounting bracket 20 providing a secure fixed support for the stationary jaw 11 thereby permitting operation of shears 10 with a single hand such that the shear operator may utilize the other-hand for guidance of the hose 50 or for any other purpose associated with cutting the hose to make the cutting process convenient and simple in operation.

As seen in FIG. 4, mounting bracket 20 is secured to a vertical wall surface 38 with a container 60 being shown disposed beneath the shears 10 for receiving therein a plurality of hose sections 54 as they are cut to size by operation of the shears. The use of container 60 conveniently illustrates one of the numerous possibilities available to users of the hose cutting device of the present invention in making the job of hose cutting a simple and pleasant work experience as to its adaptability for cutting hoses of various thicknesses, diameters and lengths into desired lengths which may be readily caught in a suitable container rather than having to pick up the individual lengths from the floor or supporting surface after the cutting process has been completed.

Referring to FIG. 5, yet a further illustrative manner of mounting the mounting bracket 20 to a vertical supporting surface 38 is illustrated which, referring to FIG. 4, is similar to FIG. 4 except that the entire mounting bracket 20 and shears 10 have been rotated about a angle to place support member 21 in a horizontal position with horizontal base member 22 being placed in a vertical position such that pivot pin 13 assumes a vertical orientation with the operation of the shears 10 being as aforedescribed except now set up for cutting tubing that is inserted vertically between the jaws 11 and 12.

It is, accordingly, apparent that the present invention provides a hose cutting device including a mounting bracket and cutting shears which will enable an individual to cut hosing of various lengths, diameters and wall thickness in a comparatively easy manner utilizing only a single hand to accomplish the cutting operation, the device being universally mountable in any of a great variety of possible mounting positions providing complete adaptability of the hose cutting device for a great variety of hose cutting situations.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A hose cutting device adapted for use in cutting hoses of various lengths and diameters into selected lengths comprising:

a shears having a pair of opposed cutting jaws pivotally connected together at a point rearwardly of the jaws for pivotal substantially parallel cutting type movement toward and away from each other;

a mounting bracket including a support member adapted for supporting one of the cutting jaws in a stationary manner;

a handle member attached to the other cutting jaw for operation thereof in a movable manner relative to the stationary cutting jaw;

means securing the stationary cutting jaw to the support member of the mounting bracket;

means adapted for securing the mounting bracket to a supporting surface;

a substantially flat shaped vertically disposed stationary jaw support member having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front edge, and a back edge;

a first substantially flat mounting base having a side edge connected to the bottom edge of the support member and projecting substantially perpendicularly outwardly therefrom in a horizontal plane, the first mounting base member including a front edge, a back edge, and an outermost projecting side edge; second substantially flat mounting base member having a side edge connected to the back edge of the support member with a bottom edge connected to the back edge of the first mounting base member and projecting vertically in a plane normal to both the plane of the support member and the plane of the first mounting base member; slot provided in the support member extending from the front edge of the support member and disposed substantially normal to the plane of the front edge of the support member, the slot adapted to receive therein a portion of the stationary jaw memher in a manner fixedly supporting the stationary jaw member projecting forwardly of the front edge of the support member; and

the combination of the two mounting base members providing a universal type of mounting bracket for the support member with the first mounting base member adapted for mounting generally to a horizontal support surface and with the second mounting base member adapted for mounting generally to a vertical support surface such that the shears may be positioned in any desired location for convenient hose cutting.

2. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the stationary jaw comprising a support shaft member having one end portion adapted to be received in the slot provided in the support member with the opposite end projecting outwardly from the support member and merging with the rearward end portion of the stationary cutting jaw; the cutting jaw projecting outwardy from the shaft and having a cutting blade surface extending along one side thereof adapted for wiping type cutting action with the blade portion disposed on the movable cutting jaw; the end portion of the shaft associated with the support member having spaced apart apertures provided therethrough adapted for alignment with similarly provided apertures in the slotted support member; and fastening bolts adapted for passage through the apertures in the shaft and the apertures in the support member and adapted to be secured therein by nuts secured on the threaded ends thereof in a manner to securely fix the shaft and associated stationary cutting jaw to the supporting member.

3. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the movable cutting jaw comprising a shaft having a handle portion attached to one end thereof adapted for grasping by an individuals hand with the opposite end of the shaft connected to the rearward end of the movable cutting jaw; the movable cutting jaw including a blade portion along one side thereof opposed to the blade portion of the stationary cutting jaw and adapted for operation therewith in a manner to sever a hose placed between the movable and stationary cutting jaws; and the movable cutting jaw and handle portion being secured in a pivotal manner to the stationary cutting jaw and stationary shaft portion by a pivot pin extending normal to the plane of operation of the movable cutting jaw.

4. A hose cutting device an claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the blade of the stationary cutting jaw being convexly arcuately formed in a semi-circular shape with the blade of the movable cutting jaw being concavely formed in an arcuate shape complementary to the stationary cutting jaw blade providing a smooth scissor type severing action therebetween as the movable blade is moved toward and away from the stationary blade in operation of the cutting shears.

5. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the supporting member and the two mounting base members being formed of an integral single piece of material with the first base member being bent up to perpendicularly project relative to the support member and the second base member being bent in the same direction as the first base member to perpendicularly project from the support member and being perpendicularly disposed relative to the first base member, the abutting portion of the first and second base members then being suitably connected together to provide a rigid unitary mounting bracket.

6. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the means adapted to secure the mounting bracket to a support surface comprising suitably threaded screws or bolts adapted for engagement through mounting holes provided in the base members for securing the particular base member to the desired supporting surface.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION December 17, 197

Patent No. 205 Dated n 1 BOS-kus Inventor( a1. es

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On +he Co er heefl, item [76], The last name of inventor "Baskus" should read Boskus Signed and sealed this 1st day of April 1975.

(SEAL) ttest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C MASON Commissioner of Patents 7 and Trademarks Attes'ting Officer USCOMM-DC 603766 69 FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) us. covnrmeur mnmus orncs: 8G9 93 o 

1. A hose cutting device adapted for use in cutting hoses of various lengths and diameters into selected lengths comprising: a shears having a pair of opposed cutting jaws pivotally connected together at a point rearwardly of the jaws for pivotal substantially parallel cutting type movement toward and away from each other; a mounting bracket including a support member adapted for supporting one of the cutting jaws in a stationary manner; a handle member attached to the other cutting jaw for operation thereof in a movable manner relative to the stationary cutting jaw; means securing the stationary cutting jaw to the support member of the mounting bracket; means adapted for securing the mounting bracket to a supporting surface; a substantially flat shaped vertically disposed stationary jaw support member having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front edge, and a back edge; a first substantially flat mounting base having a side edge connected to the bottom edge of the support member and projecting substantially perpendicularly outwardly therefrom in a horizontal plane, the first mounting base member including a front edge, a back edge, and an outermost projecting side edge; a second substantially flat mounting base member having a side edge connected to the back edge of the support member with a bottom edge connected to the back edge of the first mounting base member and projecting vertically in a plane normal to both the plane of the support member and the plane of the first mounting base member; a slot provided in tHe support member extending from the front edge of the support member and disposed substantially normal to the plane of the front edge of the support member, the slot adapted to receive therein a portion of the stationary jaw member in a manner fixedly supporting the stationary jaw member projecting forwardly of the front edge of the support member; and the combination of the two mounting base members providing a universal type of mounting bracket for the support member with the first mounting base member adapted for mounting generally to a horizontal support surface and with the second mounting base member adapted for mounting generally to a vertical support surface such that the shears may be positioned in any desired location for convenient hose cutting.
 2. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the stationary jaw comprising a support shaft member having one end portion adapted to be received in the slot provided in the support member with the opposite end projecting outwardly from the support member and merging with the rearward end portion of the stationary cutting jaw; the cutting jaw projecting outwardy from the shaft and having a cutting blade surface extending along one side thereof adapted for wiping type cutting action with the blade portion disposed on the movable cutting jaw; the end portion of the shaft associated with the support member having spaced apart apertures provided therethrough adapted for alignment with similarly provided apertures in the slotted support member; and fastening bolts adapted for passage through the apertures in the shaft and the apertures in the support member and adapted to be secured therein by nuts secured on the threaded ends thereof in a manner to securely fix the shaft and associated stationary cutting jaw to the supporting member.
 3. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the movable cutting jaw comprising a shaft having a handle portion attached to one end thereof adapted for grasping by an individual''s hand with the opposite end of the shaft connected to the rearward end of the movable cutting jaw; the movable cutting jaw including a blade portion along one side thereof opposed to the blade portion of the stationary cutting jaw and adapted for operation therewith in a manner to sever a hose placed between the movable and stationary cutting jaws; and the movable cutting jaw and handle portion being secured in a pivotal manner to the stationary cutting jaw and stationary shaft portion by a pivot pin extending normal to the plane of operation of the movable cutting jaw.
 4. A hose cutting device an claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the blade of the stationary cutting jaw being convexly arcuately formed in a semi-circular shape with the blade of the movable cutting jaw being concavely formed in an arcuate shape complementary to the stationary cutting jaw blade providing a smooth scissor type severing action therebetween as the movable blade is moved toward and away from the stationary blade in operation of the cutting shears.
 5. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the supporting member and the two mounting base members being formed of an integral single piece of material with the first base member being bent up to perpendicularly project relative to the support member and the second base member being bent in the same direction as the first base member to perpendicularly project from the support member and being perpendicularly disposed relative to the first base member, the abutting portion of the first and second base members then being suitably connected together to provide a rigid unitary mounting bracket.
 6. A hose cutting device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the means adapted to secure the mounting bracket to a support surface comprising suitably threaded screws or bolts adapted for engagement through mounting holes provided in the base members for securing the particular base member to the desired supporting surface. 